“Stop serious violent youth offences being diverted away from court” — 8 signatures. Status: rejected.
Change the law so that serious violent offences committed by young offenders are prosecuted in court where there is sufficient evidence, instead of routinely being diverted to out-of-court interventions because of the offender’s age.
The youth justice system rightly aims to rehabilitate young offenders, but victims of serious violent crime deserve confidence that offences of exceptional seriousness will be dealt with through the courts where there is sufficient evidence. I believe assaults involving prolonged violence, multiple offenders, repeated blows, kicking or stamping to the head, or injuries requiring hospital treatment should not routinely be diverted to out-of-court interventions because of the offender’s age. Age should remain a factor when deciding an appropriate sentence, but it should not prevent prosecution in court for the most serious violent offences. This change would improve accountability, public confidence and justice for victims.
View this petition on the official UK Parliament website